Virginia hires coordinator for dementia services

Last week, the state hired a dementia services coordinator to fill a brand new position funded by the General Assembly as part of Virginia's Dementia State Plan.

Charlotte Arbogast is a former policy analyst for the Department of Health, a former board member of the state's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission and was also a lead writer for the DSP.

"The concept came about several years ago," she said in a phone interview from Richmond, noting that 28 states have similar plans. "One of the priorities we see is trying to get a better picture of the data … and use that to make policy at the state level."

By 2030, Virginia's senior population is slated to double and with it the incidence of Alzheimer's and dementia-related illnesses.

"It's not enough just to develop those services. We have to plan for them. That's why I'm excited that the state has filled the position," said Rick Jackson, executive director of the Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging. The Williamsburg center conducts comprehensive geriatric assessments for those with memory issues and provides consultation services.

"I always believe we can do this better working together. We have to do it better, more efficiently — and now at less cost," he added.

The DSP, formulated by the Alzheimer's Commission in December 2011, identified five major goals related to Alzheimer's and dementia, including gathering data; increasing awareness and creating dementia-specific training; reducing duplication in services; offering care in the most integrated setting; and increasing research funding.

The plan's first step was to create a position for a dementia services coordinator. Within a year, the state approved full funding for the position.

"For the Virginia General Assembly to fully fund this position so quickly is a significant success in our ability to move forward," said Amy Marschean, senior policy analyst for the Virginia Division for the Aging within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). She added that the coordinator's position is part of an ongoing budget commitment.

"The tidal wave is upon us and services are very scarce — and affordable services are even more scarce. It's so important to have someone at state to coordinate and review programs to make them better suited to caregivers and patient," she said. "She will be looking to systemic change and identifying gaps in services."

Arbogast, who holds a master's degree in gerontology, will start by meeting with the Alzheimer's Commission and James A. Rothrock, commissioner for DARS, to determine the priorities in implementing the remaining goals of the DSP.

"We'll be trying to pull all the appropriate people and coordinating to reduce duplication, improve efficiency and outcomes," Arbogast said, reeling off a list of agencies, organizations, groups and individuals involved. They include state agencies, local agencies on aging, case managers, nursing facilities, home care organizations, the Department of Social Services, assisted living facilities, community service boards and many more who provide services to the memory-impaired.

"All the providers, government and private, we don't often talk to each other as much as we should. … I'm looking forward to her input," said Jackson.

Dementia State Plan

In 2011, Virginia's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission devised a state plan for providing better, coordinated dementia services. These are its five stated goals: